THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY
Carson City(Wednesday), March 7, 2001
Senate called to order at 11:11 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Roll called.
All present.
Prayer by the Chaplain, Pastor Patrick Prosper.
Our Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You for the opportunities that will come before this Senate today. We pray You will grant the wisdom needed to make the right decisions for the right reasons, so as to better this State and glorify Your Name. Please, let this Senate be filled with Your love and kindness which enables us all to see beyond ourselves and serve the needs of others. As is written in the book of Micah 6:8 You have shown us what is good and what is required of us by Thee. That is to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.
There is much to do in these days ahead. With Your aid, to Your Glory, through Your empowering, we will accomplish these tasks. Forgive us for any dishonor we have caused, Lord; we also pray that You bring comfort to the bereaving families due to the tragic shooting in California.
Father, we beseech You to give us Your illumination to deal with these problems at hand. We pray Your protection over this nation’s most valuable gift from You, our children. We pray this in Your precious and Holy Name.
Amen.
Pledge of allegiance to the Flag.
Senator Raggio moved that further reading of the Journal be dispensed with, and the President and Secretary be authorized to make the necessary corrections and additions.
Motion carried.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Madam President:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 199, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.
William J. Raggio, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly Chamber, Carson City, March 5, 2001
To the Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed Assembly Bills Nos. 12, 151, 167, 210.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 15.
Patricia R. Williams
Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
By Senators Raggio, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O'Connell, O'Donnell, Porter, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington, Wiener; Assemblymen Dini, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 16—Memorializing attorney and businessman Virgil Henry Wedge.
Whereas, The people of the State of Nevada lost a prestigious attorney, visionary businessman and civic leader with the passing of Virgil Henry Wedge on March 4, 2000; and
Whereas, Virgil Wedge was born in the mining town of Pioche, Nevada, on June 24, 1912, to John H. Wedge and Emma Richard Wedge and spent his early years on the family ranch in Pahranagat Valley; and
Whereas, After graduation from Lincoln County High School, Virgil Wedge worked in his father’s general store where he learned the trade that he would use to put himself through Brigham Young University where he was elected student body president in his senior year and from which he graduated in 1936; and
Whereas, Virgil Wedge returned to Nevada where, as a day laborer working on the construction of the Supreme Court Building in Carson City, he met Senator Patrick McCarran who took an instant liking to Virgil, invited him to join his Washington staff and helped him enter George Washington University Law School; and
Whereas, Following his graduation from the University in 1940, Virgil Wedge returned to Nevada and created the law firm of McCarran & Wedge with the Senator, and, that same year, met Suki Hekking whom he married 2 years later; and
Whereas, During World War II, Virgil Wedge served with the FBI and upon returning to Nevada in 1946, he resumed his career as an attorney and held the office of Reno City Attorney from 1947 to 1951; and
Whereas, As a member of the law firm presently known as Woodburn and Wedge, whose origin stretches back to 1917 and from which he retired as Senior Partner, Virgil Wedge’s clients included prosperous corporations, prominent individuals and colorful characters in Nevada’s history; and
Whereas, The seemingly limitless energy and dedication of Virgil Wedge urged him into numerous leadership positions in both the civic and political arenas, including President of the Washoe County Bar Association, Chairman of the Northern Nevada Federal Judicial Merit Advisory Commission and Director of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, as well as years of involvement in the Democratic Central Committee in Nevada; and
Whereas, Because of Virgil Wedge’s deep interest in the economic development of his state and his participation in many business associations that helped to bring prosperity to Northern Nevada, Governor Bob Miller proclaimed March 22, 1989, Virgil H. Wedge Day, and 4 years later Reno Mayor Pete Sferrazza bestowed a similar honor by declaring April 20, 1993, Virgil H. Wedge Day; and
Whereas, The full life of Virgil Wedge also involved running a herd of cattle on a ranch he owned in southwest Reno and membership in organizations including the Masons, the Elks and the Prospectors Club; and
Whereas, Virgil Henry Wedge is survived by his wife, Suki, daughter, Suzanne Landucci of San Francisco, son, Virgil A. Wedge of Reno, sister, Ruby Ellen Buhler of Sacramento, grandchildren and a great-grandson; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the members of the 71st session of the Nevada Legislature express their deepest sympathy to the family of Virgil Henry Wedge; and be it further
Resolved, That Virgil Henry Wedge will long be remembered by his fellow Nevadans who have received the benefits of his contributions to this state; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Virgil Wedge’s wife, Suki.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Senator Raggio requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
This resolution honors a prominent Nevadan who we lost in the year 2000. Virgil Wedge was a preeminent attorney who was very active in Democratic Party politics. The history of Nevada could not be written without recognizing the participation of Virgil Wedge as one of the movers and shakers of this State. I’m sure there are those in the Senate who knew him during his lifetime.
Virgil Wedge grew up in Pioche, attended Lincoln County High School, went on to Brigham Young University and returned to Nevada. As a young man, he began work as a day laborer on the Supreme Court Building where he met Senator McCarran, who at the time was a Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court. They became fast friends. At Senator McCarran’s urging, Virgil went to law school in Washington, D.C. Judge McCarran became a Senator and one of the giants in the history of the United States Senate, and he helped Virgil through George Washington University Law School.
One thing that was not mentioned in the resolution and was pointed out to me by his wife Suki, who could not be here today, was that he started his career in law as a bill drafter in the old Capitol Building. It is most fitting that we recognize him today. The Democratic Party's political structure owes him a great deal. I can tell you from having been on the other side of the political aisle, that through the years, I was always running into Virgil in a lot of campaigns. He was one of those who called the shots for the political campaigns throughout all the years of his participation.
Today, we certainly mourn the loss of Virgil Wedge and extend our condolences to his family. Initially, he joined the law firm of Woodburn and Forman. Virgil joined that law firm, and it later became Woodburn and Wedge, a name that it still carries today. I know we have members of that law firm here today as well as his family. I would ask that the Senate join in recognizing a distinguished Nevadan, a prestigious attorney, an activist and certainly someone who contributed a great deal to the history and the progress of our State, the late Virgil Wedge.
Resolution adopted.
Senator Raggio moved that all rules be suspended and that Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 16 be immediately transmitted to the Assembly.
Motion carried unanimously.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 11:25 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 11:30 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
By Senators Titus, Wiener, Schneider, Mathews, Carlton, Amodei, Care, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, McGinness, O'Connell, O'Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Shaffer, Townsend, Washington; Assemblymen Perkins, Buckley, Gibbons, Parks, Bache, Koivisto, Leslie, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Lee, Manendo, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parnell, Price, Smith, Von Tobel and Williams:
Senate Joint Resolution No. 6—Providing notice of disapproval to Congress and the President of the United States if Yucca Mountain is recommended as the site for a repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
Senator Titus moved that all rules be suspended, reading so far had considered first reading, rules further suspended, Senate Joint Resolution No. 6 declared an emergency measure under the Constitution and placed on third reading and final passage.
Motion carried.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Senate Joint Resolution No. 6.
Resolution read third time.
Remarks by Senators Titus, O'Donnell, Neal and Porter.
Senator Neal requested that the following remarks be entered in the Journal.
Senator Titus:
Thank you, Madame President. I rise in support of this resolution which is co-sponsored by all but three members of this Legislature. As you heard, the resolution does several very important things:
First—it protests the biased and blatantly political manner in which the DOE (Department of Energy) has used “so called” scientific evidence to promote the Yucca Mountain site for permanent high-level nuclear waste storage.
Second—it calls on President Bush to veto any legislation that would attempt to locate a temporary or interim storage facility in Nevada.
Third—it admonishes Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham to oppose efforts to develop new nuclear power facilities until a solution to the waste problem is found.
Fourth—it restates the Nevada Legislature’s unyielding opposition to the establishment of a permanent repository at Yucca Mountain without our prior expressed consent.
Some may ask, why send yet another anti-Yucca Mountain resolution to Washington? There are several reasons why taking this action today is more critical than ever.
There is a new administration in Washington with many new faces, and we need to be sure that they know our position in Nevada regarding Yucca Mountain has not changed; our opposition is unwavering.
Furthermore, in light of the current energy crisis, which is projected to worsen, there is a move by the nuclear power industry to develop new facilities; this would only exacerbate an already untenable situation.
Finally, we are facing an impending decision by the President this summer, and we cannot afford to wait.
So, I urge you to vote yes and send a strong, united message to Washington that Nevada remains firmly opposed to the selection of Yucca Mountain as a permanent high-level nuclear waste repository.
Senator O'Donnell:
I rise in support of this resolution. However, I do not think it is going to mean much. Nevada is the only state selected to be in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. That decision was made in 1987.
The analogy would be that we are all sitting on the U.S.S. Nevada in the middle of Pearl Harbor. The captain of the ship is running up and down the decks of the ship asking each and every one of the sailors whether or not they want to be bombed, strafed, torpedoed, burned or killed. Every one of the sailors on that ship says, “No way. We do not want to go to war. We do not want to be bombed or strafed.” However, the decision to go to war is not made on that ship. The decision is made 3,000 miles away on a carrier when the Japanese launch the airplanes. So, too, this decision was made 3,000 miles away in Washington, D.C.
We must be steadfast in our opposition to the nuclear waste storage. That should not officiate our ability to work together with the federal government to mitigate the already pending decision that is made in Washington, D.C. We must do everything we can to protect citizens of this State. Because of term limits, every single one of us will not be here when the first shipment comes. It is up to us to do whatever we can to make certain our citizens are safe if, in fact, the site is declared suitable, and we end up with the waste.
Senator Neal:
As one of the Senators who was confronted with this issue during the campaign of the last election and being accused of favoring bringing nuclear waste to the State of Nevada, I must say that I am concerned about these particular issues now being placed time and time again before this Legislature and asking Congress or the President to take certain action against storage of nuclear waste at the Nevada Test Site. As I read the resolution, the resolve clause seems to address just one action asking President Bush to veto the temporary interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. This resolution is asking him to do something he has already stated publicly that he is going to do.
Why is it necessary for this particular resolution? President Bush, as did President Clinton, took a position that science should determine where the waste goes. No one has argued against that particular proposition. Everyone seems to accept that. This resolution directs the people’s attention away from the real issues they should be concerned about.
I would much rather see our time spent sending a resolution to Congress and sending a resolution to George Bush asking him to repeal the Federal Energy Policy Act that is the cause of all of these increases in electrical rates. I would much rather see a resolution speaking to the increased cost of power for the citizens of this State. We should address those issues rather than playing games with this issue. This is an issue we do not have any control over. There are about 84 sites throughout the country in which waste is held. The Department of Energy under the Waste Policy Act has been directed to contract with the generators of the waste. The Department of Energy did not meet the deadline of January 1, 1998, for acceptance of that waste so they were sued. A ruling has already been handed down in the Claims Court of Washington, D.C., and the agency lost that suit.
What is going to happen? In my judgment the waste is going to come here, but maybe not as interim storage. We as a state do not have any bargaining rights in this particular issue. We are not a part of the contracts which have been negotiated with the generators of the waste by the Department of Energy. I hate to see us waste our time on an issue like this rather than dealing with issues our people are facing today such as the high cost of electrical power.
Based on the recent actions of our Public Utilities Commission raising the rates, the cost of power is going to be astronomical. We sit here and deal with this issue in Senate Joint Resolution No. 6 making it an emergency measure, and we do not deal with the power issue which is going to affect our people immediately in this State. We can do something about this through public policy in this House and the House down the hall. But yet, we like to waste our time on frivolous matters like this in which we do not have a seat at the bargaining table. Our Public Service Commission just made a ruling that will increase the cost of power to the people of this State from $1.3 billion to about $2.1 billion a year in rate increases. But yet, we want to make this resolution an emergency. Our citizens who are going to be facing a hot summer and high energy bills would want us to consider the cost of electrical power as an emergency.
I know people here are serious about what they are doing. They believe in what they are doing. I do not have a problem with that, but when it comes to making public policy in this House or even when trying to address issues in Congress, we must look at the real needs of our people. We are not doing this by this resolution. If this was an issue addressed to the Federal Energy Commission, if this was an issue addressed to Mr. Bush asking him to join with Senators Feinstein and Boxer to repeal the Federal Energy Policy Act, I could go along with it. But this does nothing but make us feel good and say, “Oh yes, I passed this resolution against nuclear waste.” This leaves it to our own citizens to determine what all of that means. In my judgment, it means nothing, nothing. But when they are confronted with the increase in their power bill, they will come knocking on your door and will ask you what have you done to correct that. Tell them that you sent a resolution to Washington, D.C. to stop the interim storage and see what it means to them—nothing, nothing.
I was one of the people who did not sign on to this resolution. The author of the resolution mentioned that all but three people signed on to the resolution. I do not know who the other people were who did not sign on to the resolution. I know why I did not sign on, and I have just given you those reasons. Those reasons are important. With all the important things we must do this session, to make this an emergency doesn’t sit too well with me. I know it will not sit well with the people of the State of Nevada when their power bills this summer begin to rise, and they begin to ask what you did to stop that from happening. These bills are going to rise because the Public Utilities Commission just instituted rate increases, and they did so without a public hearing. They did not let the people know what was going on. But yet, we want to make this resolution an emergency. It does not make sense when we understand what other types of issues are out there that we must deal with during this session. For those reasons, Madam President, I will be voting against this resolution.
Senator Porter:
I, too, rise in support of Senate Joint Resolution No. 6. Envision six nuclear waste trucks per day for 24 years, 40 trucks per week, 2,063 trucks per year and convoy trucks 300 feet long that have yet to be invented.
Let us talk about environmental effects. Let us talk about economic effects and the anticipated multiple effects on southern Nevada and its economy. By the year 2020, there will be close to $3.5 billion less in sales activities with up to $2.5 billion less in employment earnings. Those individuals live in southern Nevada. Anticipate 113,000 fewer jobs, up to $11.4 million less in Nevada State business taxes and up to $58 million less in sales tax.
I rise in support of Senate Joint Resolution No. 6. I do not agree with the President of the United States. I do not agree with many members of Congress that this decision is strictly about Washington science. I do not think science should decide the outcome of this issue. I think the community of Nevada should make their own decision. I share the frustration of my colleague from North Las Vegas. But I do not agree that Washington science should alone make this decision. I believe we need to continue the fight. Washington science determined that above ground nuclear testing was safe, and today, we are fighting for benefits for test-site workers.
We have experienced over a year of partisan bickering in southern Nevada, Democrats blaming Republicans, Republicans blaming Democrats. What is important about this resolution is that we are sending a message that we are working together and will continue to do so from this point forward. There are a number of resolutions to be heard and to be passed this session. Having experienced first hand the impact of our bickering, asking who is to blame and seeing the impact in Washington, D.C., I believe we should stand tall against Washington science as the only determining factor. I do not think Washington, D.C. and the question of science should decide, I think Nevada should decide. This is not about Republicans or Democrats. It is about Washington against Nevada. I agree with my colleague from North Las Vegas. We need to find a way to continue working on our power challenges. But we have to be unified, consistent and unrelenting in our commitment to work together to win the fight against Yucca Mountain. That action provides us the greatest opportunity to send a successful message that we are unified and stand firm against Nevada being chosen as a nuclear dump.
Roll call on Senate Joint Resolution No. 6:
Yeas—19.
Nays—Neal, Jacobsen—2.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 6 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Senator Titus moved that all rules be suspended and that Senate Joint Resolution No. 6 be immediately transmitted to the Assembly.
Motion carried unanimously.
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly Chamber, Carson City, March 7, 2001
To the Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 9.
Patricia R. Williams
Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 9—Commending the National Association of Women in Construction and declaring March 4 through March 10, 2001, as Women in Construction Week in Nevada.
Whereas, The National Association of Women in Construction was founded in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1955 and is an international association that promotes and supports the advancement and employment of women in the construction industry and currently serves approximately 6,500 members in more than 200 chapters in the United States and Canada, as well as affiliates in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; and
Whereas, The National Association of Women in Construction Education Foundation offers certification programs, a wide range of publications and training tools, home-study courses, and several programs for children from kindergarten through twelfth grade that introduce students to careers and opportunities in construction in a positive and fun manner while presenting challenges in math, science and design; and
Whereas, The Founders’ Scholarship Foundation of the National Association of Women in Construction awards scholarships each year to students in college who are pursuing construction-related studies and in the past 5 years has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to both female and male students; and
Whereas, The National Association of Women in Construction works in partnership with other industry associations and governmental entities to promote training among women in the skilled trades, to cooperate in educational programs and to promote businesses owned by women; and
Whereas, The Crystal Vision Award of the National Association of Women in Construction, according to Susan Levy, founder of the award and past national President of the Association, “identifies and honors the men and women who see beyond the invisible barriers that impede the progress of women, especially in nontraditional fields,” and who “demonstrate the courage to act on their vision by gradually breaking down those barriers through policy change, setting precedent and taking risks”; and
Whereas, Local chapters of the National Association of Women in Construction are made up of enthusiastic women working in construction who are excited about the industry and translate their enthusiasm into involvement in various community projects; and
Whereas, The Las Vegas Chapter, Number 74, chartered in 1964, has presented over $150,000 in scholarships to students in the Las Vegas area and has more than 60 members who are active in education regarding the construction industry and are working to raise awareness in the community of the role of women in construction; and
Whereas, The Sparks Chapter, Number 361, chartered in July of 2000 with 31 members, is beginning their mission by recognizing the need to embrace every opportunity to become a productive association for the Reno-Sparks community; and
Whereas, The fourth annual Women in Construction Week, sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction is scheduled for March 4-10, 2001, and is designed to recognize the strides and contributions women have made in the construction industry, to increase the visibility of women in this industry and to look ahead to further realization of their potential in the future; and
Whereas, The theme of this year’s Women in Construction Week is “Under Construction…Building for Tomorrow” and was selected to describe the current status of women in the industry, to bring awareness to the need for further advancement and acceptance, and to promote the conviction that women are taking an active role in the industry by helping to build the future; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate Concurring, That the members of the 71st session of the Nevada Legislature do hereby commend the National Association of Women in Construction for its efforts and programs that promote and support the advancement, visibility and pride of women in the construction industry; and be it further
Resolved, That March 4 through March 10, 2001, is hereby declared as Women in Construction Week in Nevada; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Cindy Crawley, CIT, President of the National Association of Women in Construction, Patricia Jacobs, President of Las Vegas Chapter Number 74 and Anne Thompson, President of Sparks Chapter Number 361.
Senator Rawson moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Rawson.
Senator Rawson requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
I rise to support Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 9 commemorating the National Association of Women in Construction. It declares March 4 to March 10, 2001, as “Women in Construction Week in Nevada.” The National Association of Women in Construction promotes and supports the advancement and employment of women in the construction industry. Its primary focus has been one of education offering certification programs, training tools, home study courses and programs to introduce students to careers and opportunities in construction. The Las Vegas Chapter of the organization has presented over $150,000 in scholarships to students in southern Nevada. This deserves great praise and congratulations. I also wish to congratulate the newly chartered Sparks Chapter of the association, and we can be confident that they will have the same positive effect on education in northern Nevada as the Las Vegas Chapter has had in southern Nevada. I urge my colleagues to commend the National Association of Women in Construction and to declare March 4 to March 10, 2001, as “Women in Construction Week in Nevada.”
Resolution adopted.
Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
By the Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations:
Senate Joint Resolution No. 7—Urging the United States Department of State to approve the establishment of a Mexican Consulate in Las Vegas.
Senator Porter moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By Senators Wiener, Rawson, Mathews, Amodei, Titus, Care, McGinness, Neal, O'Connell, Schneider, Townsend and Washington:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 17—Urging the Commission on Mental Health and Developmental Services in cooperation with the Department of Education, the University and Community College System of Nevada and local school districts to take the steps necessary to increase public awareness of certain eating disorders and inspire public support for the inclusion of eating disorders in the insurance benefits mandated for mental health coverage.
Senator Wiener moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 18—Urging and encouraging various persons, organizations, agencies, governmental entities and educational institutions to take certain actions to promote school safety and reduce juvenile violence.
Senator Rawson moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE
By the Committee on Government Affairs:
Senate Bill No. 279—AN ACT relating to land use planning; prohibiting cities in certain counties from exercising certain powers of zoning within a sphere of influence in certain circumstances; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Connell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Government Affairs:
Senate Bill No. 280—AN ACT relating to cities; prohibiting certain cities from annexing land in a manner that creates an island of any size; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Connell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By Senator Shaffer:
Senate Bill No. 281—AN ACT relating to professions; expanding the subject matter of the examinations given by the state board of funeral directors, embalmers and operators of cemeteries and crematories to applicants for certain licenses; clarifying that an applicant for a license as an embalmer is exempt from taking certain portions of the examination given by the board under certain circumstances; exempting an applicant for a license as a funeral director from taking certain portions of the examination given by the board; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Shaffer moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Judiciary:
Senate Bill No. 282—AN ACT relating to victims of crime; removing certain limitations on the amount of compensation that may be provided for the loss of earnings and support and for the funeral expenses of certain victims of crime; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Judiciary:
Senate Bill No. 283—AN ACT relating to gaming; providing for the licensing of an international gaming salon in a resort hotel that holds a nonrestricted license; revising provisions governing limited-liability companies that hold state gaming licenses; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Judiciary:
Senate Bill No. 284—AN ACT relating to crimes; increasing the penalty for statutory sexual seduction of a child who is under 14 years of age; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Judiciary:
Senate Bill No. 285—AN ACT relating to child support; requiring the district attorney to provide certain information regarding performance of his duties pertaining to child support; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Judiciary:
Senate Bill No. 286—AN ACT relating to criminal justice; establishing the legislative committee on criminal justice; eliminating the advisory commission on sentencing, the advisory council for community notification and the advisory board on industrial programs and amending various provisions relating thereto; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By Senators Wiener, Rawson, Neal, Washington, Porter, Care, Coffin, Jacobsen, Mathews, Titus, Townsend; Assemblymen Leslie, Carpenter, Cegavske, Anderson, Arberry, Berman and Nolan:
Senate Bill No. 287—AN ACT relating to minors; making appropriations for the establishment of community-based programs that serve as alternatives to incarceration of minors and for the employment of mental health counselors in the Youth Parole Bureau of the Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of Human Resources; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Wiener moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Transportation:
Senate Bill No. 288—AN ACT relating to traffic laws; revising provisions governing the duties of a driver after a motor vehicle accident to include an accident that occurs on premises to which the public has access; revising provisions concerning reckless driving to make those provisions applicable when a person drives on premises to which the public has access; increasing the penalty for a person convicted of reckless driving that proximately causes death or substantial bodily harm; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Donnell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Transportation.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 289—AN ACT relating to schools; requiring the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body of each charter school and private school to establish a committee to develop a plan to be used in responding to certain crises involving violence on school property, at school activities or on school buses; requiring each school to establish a committee to review such a plan developed for the school; requiring the state board of education to develop a statewide plan for the management of certain crises that involve violence on school property, at school activities or on school buses and that require immediate action; requiring the division of emergency management of the department of motor vehicles and public safety to assist, under certain circumstances, with such crises; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 290—AN ACT relating to public health; creating a public corporation to establish and operate a program of services for the medically indigent population of Clark County; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 291—AN ACT relating to schools; requiring school police officers and certain administrators of a school to report certain violent or sexual offenses that are committed on school property, on school buses or at school activities to the appropriate local law enforcement agency; requiring school police officers to seek assistance from the appropriate local law enforcement agency in the investigation of such offenses; authorizing the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body of each charter school and private school to establish procedures for the additional reporting of such offenses by other employees of the school district or school; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 292—AN ACT relating to education; requiring the department of education to establish an account for each charter school to pay the costs incurred by a school district if the charter school ceases to operate as a charter school during a school year; providing that a certain percentage of the apportionment to a charter school from the state distributive school account must be set aside and deposited in the account established by the department; revising provisions governing the operation, finances and personnel of charter schools; requiring charter schools to comply with provisions governing the minimum ages required for pupils to enroll in certain grades; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:
Senate Bill No. 293—AN ACT making an appropriation to the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety to create a centralized database for dental records within the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By Senator Rawson:
Senate Bill No. 294—AN ACT relating to education; revising provisions governing the final computation of apportionment for basic support; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By Senator Rawson:
Senate Bill No. 295—AN ACT relating to domestic relations; providing for the establishment of a registry of putative fathers; requiring the division of child and family services of the department of human resources to adopt regulations to administer the registry of putative fathers; revising the provisions governing the adoption of children of putative fathers; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Transportation:
Senate Bill No. 296—AN ACT making an appropriation to the Department of Prisons to establish a program for obtaining and storing electronic fingerprints and digital photographs for use in transferring and releasing prisoners; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Donnell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 12.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 151.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 167.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 210.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Transportation.
Motion carried.
SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT
Senate Bill No. 150.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Senate Bill No. 155.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Senate Bill No. 200.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Senate Bill No. 201.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Senate Bill No. 49.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senator James.
Roll call on Senate Bill No. 49:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Senate Bill No. 49 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 11 of the 70th Session.
Resolution read third time.
Roll call on Senate Joint Resolution No. 11 of the 70th Session:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 11 of the 70th Session having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 78.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senators Coffin, Carlton, Townsend, Raggio, Rawson, Neal and James.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 78:
Yeas—20.
Nays—Coffin.
Assembly Bill No. 78 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Signing of Bills and Resolutions
There being no objections, the President and Secretary signed Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 8.
GUESTS EXTENDED PRIVILEGE OF SENATE FLOOR
On request of Senator Mathews, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Charyl Blomstrom and Christine Hartman and students from Saint Albert the Great Catholic School: Steffani Aragon, Tara Arnold, Tyler Bannister, David Bell, Cameron Brennan, Conrad Burbank, Luke Carrico, Jake Castillo, Justin Cotton, Karla Dominguez, Ashley Ellis, Brenda Everling, Alexandra Feroah, Peter Fromherz, Maxwell Gevedon, Amber Gibson, Alezandro Gil-Blanco, Kathryn Guinto, Christopher Gurries, Jonathan Kerr, Leslie Masterpool, Cody McCargar, Joshua McCarthy, Christopher McPherson, Ryan Mirch, Krysta Moore, Brianna Olds, Andrew Peterson, Christopher Salas, Heather Sanders, Zachary Turner, Jonathan Wagoner, Michael Welty, James Allen, Jay Anderson, Sonya Arnett, Amy Brandenburg, Calli Brennan, Markus Caligdong, Ginno Carreon, Nicole Casbarro, Brandee Daane, Bonnie Elliott, Janaia Frazier, Carina Funk, Benjamin Gurries, Alexandria Gurule, Joan Howard, Sierra Kerr, Kristie Kirkbride, Kaitlin Klein, Michael Marsala, Kyle Martinmaas, Michael Montalbo, Jason Powers, Lucas Proctor, Justin Reyes, Jessica Sanders, Jonathan Schaefer, Natash Supancheck, Samantha Vial, Sarah Vicks, Rachel Vosburg, Aitor Zabalegui, Trevor Anderson, Jesse Angel, Natalie Best, Caitlin Brennan, Christopher Carson, Dominic Casbarro, Jaclyn Davis, Joshua Dear, Guia Delprado, Billy Dohr, Luviginna Dominguez, Shanea Evans, Mikki Fraser, T. J. Garcia, Kari Garma, Therese Genio, Alexander Gevedon, Aaron Gibson, Kelsey Gurries, Raymond Gurries, Christine Koehler, Matthew Kopicko, Holly Laguna, Jacob Martinmaas, Shannon McPherson; Principal: Colleen Welsh; teachers: David Kearney, Lucy Rosenow, Sandy Isham, Marcela Courtney; chaperones: Dawn Kerr, Anita Moore, Ron Welty, Loreen Vasquez, Cindy Gil-Blanco, Robert Howard, Shelly Anderson, Claran Casbarro, David Elliott, Patricia Elliott, Aida Funk, Sylvia Montalbo, Maria Schaefer, Barbara Vicks, Sally Hedler, Faith Allen, Lisa Zabalegui, Kim Powers, John Powers, Rosie McPherson, Tess Garcia, Gary Garms, Toni Garms, Bob Dohr, Jil Dohr, Mary Ann Gevedon, Linda Anderson, Polly Fraser, Laurie Laguna, Connie Martinmaas, Jill Kipicko, Irene Stambaugh and Debbie Davis.
On request of Senator Raggio, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Virgil A. Wedge, Susanne Landucci, Carmen Wedge, Chris Wicker, Don Ross, Buffy Jo Dreiling, Gregg Barnard, Jim Halley and Dane Andrews.
On request of Senator Rawson, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Esperanza Stoll-Thompson and Linda Harris.
On request of Senator Washington, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Nancy Eaton and Ginger Faucett.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, March 8, 2001 at 11 a.m.
Motion carried.
Senate adjourned at 12:36 p.m.
Approved:Lorraine T. Hunt
President of the Senate
Attest: Claire J. Clift
Secretary of the Senate